9/14/2013 at Cottage Grove Speedway

Mark Howard Memorial This Saturday Night

Mark Howard Memorial This Saturday Night
By Ben Deatherage
(Photo Courtesy of Madman Photography)
Cottage Grove, Oregon- The annual Mark Howard Memorial is back at “The Grove” and will feature the $326.00 to win Wallbanger Cup on Saturday September 14th. 360 Sprints, Late Models, Street Stocks, and Hornets are all on the card as well as the Northwest Extreme Late Model Series taking on the locals.

Mark Howard was one of the top drivers in the Pacific Northwest especially during the 1980’s. Howard would find success both on dirt and pavement across the region including championships at Willamette Speedway in Lebanon. When Mark stepped away from driving duties he eventually became the official parts vendor at Cottage Grove Speedway for several years. It was during this time he would keep cars on the track by supplying teams parts as well as always lending a helping hand to anyone that would ask. Since his tragic passing in October of 2005 a race in his honor has been ran at the Cottage Grove every year from 2006 onwards.

The 360 Sprints have only been a part of the Mark Howard Memorial a handful of times but every single time they have Roger Crockett has won on that night. The Late Model portion of the Howard Memorial goes back to the first ever edition of this race back in ’06 when the Sportsman class was still around. Past winners include Casey Vitale, Tom Lawson, Paul Culp, Mike Miller, and Ricky Ashley. Vitale is the only driver to win this race more than once. The Hornets have had two different winners in the past two Mark Howard Memorial with Monte Cox Jr. and Tom Jeannot visiting victory lane.

The Street Stocks has been big part of the Mark Howard Memorial. In fact one of the main creators of the class was the late Howard in the summer of 2005. Because of that the Street Stocks compete for the prestigious Wallbanger Cup named after Mark’s nickname of “Marky Wallbanger”.

The first Wallbanger Cup was back in 2008. Former winners of the “Wallbanger” have been Andrew Langan (twice), T.J. Langan, T.J. Hardy, and Ricky Ashley. Before the Wallbanger Cup was created Robert Wulbrandt won the 2007 race of the Howard Memorial.

Tickets for the races on Saturday are $12.00 for Adults, Senior/Military/Junior (13-17) $10.00, Youths (6-12) $5.00, and Children under the age of five are FREE. A Family Pass is offered for $30.00 which includes two Adults and up to four Youths. Pit gates open at 2:00 PM, front gates 4:00, time trials 5:30, and racing starts around 6:45

The Cottage Grove Speedway has hosted fast and exciting action as far back as 1956. Since then the ¼-mile banked oval has been regarded as a place where fast times are set and plenty of side-by-side racing occurs. Regular classes include 360 Sprints, IMCA Modifieds, NW Extreme Winged Sprint Cars, Late Models, Street Stocks, and Hornets from the months of April till October every Saturday night. For more information be sure and visit the venue’s homepage www.cottagegrovespeedway.com or call the brand new Northwest Tracks Hotline at (360)-699-RACE.

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